Table signal



18, 1944- E. D. FoREsMAN E-rAl. 2,339,471

TABLE SIGNAL Filed July 13, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTDRN EYB Jan.' 18, 1944.

E. D. FORESMAN r-:TAL

TABLE SIGNAL Filed July 13, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fda/1775 /fsffmi ATTDRNEYS Patented Jan. 18, 1944 VTABLE SIGNAL Edwin D; Foresman and?` Christopher' Golovos, -Scrantonp Pa.

Our invention relates to table' service,y and `has among its objects and advantages the provision of an improved electrically energized audible and visual signal.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 isa side View ofthe invention;

yFigure 2 isa top view;

Figure 3 is an end viewy-and Figure lY is adiagrammaticrview of an electric circuit.

In the embodiment selected for illustration, we make use of a base I6 mounted on a table top l2 and provided with shallow recesses I4 for salt and pepper cellars I6 and I8 and a sugar bowl 2c. Upon the base Ill is mounted a socket 22 for an electric lamp 24.

To the bottom face of the table top I2 is secured a vertical metal plate 26 having a right angular flange 28 provided with an opening for the reception of screws 30 threaded into the table top. A right angular flange 32 is formed at the lower end of the plate 26 to constitute a shelf for dry cells 34. These cells are held 0n the shelf by means of a band 36 attached to the plate 26 by screws 38.

In Figure 4, the cells or battery 34 is connected with a Wire 40 electrically connected with switches 42 incorporated in the base Ill and each having a switch element 44 accessible for manual manipulation. Both switches 42 are electrically connected with the lamp 24. A wire 46 leads from the lamp 24 to a iiexible contact 48 secured to an insulating support 50 attached to the plate 26. The contact 48 is engageable with a second contact 52 secured to the support 5I) and connected with a wire 54 leading to the source of current 34. A wire 56 electrically connects the source of current 34 with a solenoid 58 having its second wire 68 electrically connected with each of the switches 42. Normally the Contact 48 is held out of engagement with the contact 52 through the medium of an armature 62 actuated by the solenoid 58. An opening may be provided in the table top l2 to accommodate the wires 46, 46 and 6B.

In Figure 1 a link 64 connects the armature 52 with a bar 66 pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a supporting bolt 66 attached to the plate 26. One end of a tension spring 'l0 is attached to the link end of the bar 66 and is anchored to a bolt 'l2 attached t0 the plate 26. Thus the spring ll maintains the normal position of Figure 1. To the opposite end of the bar 66 is attached a hammer 74 arranged to strike a 'bell' `16.attached" to'fa: support 'i8 secured to the Upon 'thebolt" 28"is"mo`unted a' gear' 82 Ymeshing witha"pinion84"y attached to Va large gear 86, thepinion" and A'this gear i being connected as a unit'and mountedonfavsupporting bolt 88. "The gear mesheswith apinion Sllxedly connected supported *onaa boltff94. fBoth bolts`-68 and'94 bare*anchoredtothe plate'"26. Meshing with the gear 52 is a pinion 96 attached to a fan 98 and rotatably supported on a bolt 80 anchored to the plate 26.

In operation, a customer at the table may secure service by pressing one of the switch elements 44. When either of the switches 42 is closed, the solenoid 58 is energized for pulling the core 62 and pivoting the bar 66 to bring the hammer 14 into engagement with the bell 16. At the same time, movement of the core 62 brings the contact 48 into engagement with the contact 52 for closing the circuit through the lamp 24. As the bar 66 is pivoted by the core 62, a pawl |02 pivoted on the bar moves freely relatively to the gear 82 and then engages with one of the teeth thereon to impart rotation to the gear upon deenergization of the solenoid 58, since the spring 'l0 returns the lever to its normal position upon such deenergization. While the bell 16 is soimded momentarily, the fan 98 retards rotation of the gear train so that the bar 66 is returned slowly to its normal position. This maintains the contact 48 in engagement with the contact 52 for a considerable period of time to maintain the circuit closed through the lamp 24.

The present invention embodies an audible and visual signal and the mechanism is hidden from view underneath the table top. While the switches 44 are accessible above the table top, the switches are incorporated in the base l0 which constitutes a neat appearing base or mount for the salt and pepper cellars, the sugar bowl and the light. Thus the base I 0 is not objectionable so far as appearance is concerned.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate our invention, that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

We claim:

1. In a table top, the combination of a mount on the table top for supporting tableware, a bracket located underneath the table top, a bell mounted on said bracket, a solenoid mounted on said bracket and having an armature, a first switch mounted on said bracket and normally v held in an open position by said armature, a lever pivoted on said bracket and having a hammer engageable with said bell, a rigid link connecting said lever with said armature, a spring acting on said lever to hold the latter in its normal position with the hammer spaced from the bell, a lamp on said mount, an electric circuit connected with said solenoid and said lamp, said first switch being interposed in said electric circuit, switch means incorporated in said mount and connected in said electric circuit, a train of gears mounted on said bracket, a speed governing fan driven by said train of gears, and a pawl connecting the opened switch in said second circuit adapted when closed to effect the energization of said electrical means, an audible signal, and means carried by the lever for operating the audible signal when the lever is actuated by said electrical means.

3. In an apparatus of the character set forth, an electric lamp, an electric circuit including the lamp, a switch in said circuit tending to assume a closed position to light the lamp, a pivoted lever connected to the switch, a spring connected to the lever normally holding the switch in opened position, electrical means adapted when lever with oneof the gears, said solenoid being energized through closing of said switch means for moving said armature to close said first switch and pivot the lever to bring said hammer into f engagement with said bell, said .fan retarding v said train of gears to retard -opening of said rst switch upon deenergization of said solenoid.

2. In an apparatus of the character set forth,

an electric lamp, an electric circuit including the including said electrical means, a normally energized to rock the lever to release the switch for movement into closed position, an electric circuit including said electrical means, a normally opened switch in said second circuit adapted when closed to effect the energization of said electrical means, an audible signal, means connected to the lever for operating the audible signal when the lever is actuated by said electrical means, the said spring being tensioned when the leveris actuated by said electrical means to effect'the opening of said rst switch when said electrical means is deenergized by the opening of said second switch, and means for retarding the movement of the lever by the spring when said electrical means is deenergized.

EDWIN D. FORESMAN.

CHRISTOPHER COLOVOS. 

